The VilCap Start Business Accelerator is entering its final week, and the business owners have developed their business plans, built new contacts, and worked to develop the structure for their businesses. Together, they are learning what it takes to establish and sustain a successful business, and to make a name for themselves here in Clarkston.
In the coming weeks, the CDF blog will feature profiles of several of the business owners involved in the program. Every entrepreneur has a unique story that inspired the formation of their business, and a few of those stories will be shared here.
The entrepreneurs have attended a 14 weeks of educational workshops, with speakers from the Emory University School of Business and established business owners in the Clarkston area. They have covered subject material ranging from networking to finances, resource management and reputation building.
The business owners are competing for three $10,000 low-interest capital loans. After 14 weeks working together, the entrepreneurs will decide among themselves which three businesses should receive the loans. Any one of the 15 entrepreneurs has a chance to receive a loan, depending on the impressions they have made on their fellow business owners.
The VilCap Start program is a collaboration among Clarkston Development Foundation (CDF) and Social Enterprise @ Goizueta (Emory University School of Business), Village Capital, Refugee Women’s Network, and the Clarkston Community Center.